BRADFORD and Bingley, as predicted, have at last found their feet in the National Leagues and unfortunately for the Blues, it was on their watch.
Blues fans were critical of their team's performance and to be fair there were one or two players who might privately admit that they have had better games. Scoring opportunities were missed and kicking was frequently aimless and counter productive. Bradford and Bingley did play well, Tom Rhodes at fly half marshalled his troops competently and his two penalty goals and a brace of dropped goals were enough to sneak a very welcome victory for the Bees.
New Brighton kicked of on a calm and dry afternoon. The Bees immediately ran the ball back keeping possession until deep into the New Brighton half. A penalty was conceded by the home side and play moved up to half way where the vistors won the lineout.
With their first touch of the ball Matt Pennington was put away with a great run down the left touch line but was grounded inches short of the line.
A penalty was awarded to Bradford and Bingley on 13 minutes which Tom Rhodes grasped eagerly to put his side 3 points ahead.
New Brighton again came close when Katilimoni Tui'pulotu was stopped just short but it was not until the half hour that Richard Bradshaw was credited a try when he was forced over by a rolling maul. Anthony Birley converted and the Blues were ahead 7 points to 3.
Four minutes later from a penalty some 40 yards out Rhodes reduced the deficit for the Bees to a single point.
Half Time Score: Bradford and Bingley 6 - 7 New Brighton
For 10 minutes of the second half the action swayed to and fro with both sides creating attacking positions without a score. The deadlock was broken when Rhodes was on the scoresheet again with a well taken drop goal to put Bradford and Bingley back in the lead.
Just into the final quarter with New Brighton on a free ball a fracas on the Bee's line saw both full backs yellow carded and as a disconsolate Antony Birley, blood streeming from his mouth, left the field Paul Brett stepped up to convert the original penalty to put New Brighton back in the lead by the slenderest of margins.
Final Score:
Bradford and Bingley 12
New Brighton 10
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article